Barbara Vine

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Under the name of Barbara Vine, Ruth Rendell writes psychological thrillers.  In these novels there is no detective, and it is not always obvious what crime, if any, has been committed.  But if you enjoy reading novels where the author has given careful attention to the plot, and then done her level best to conceal it, you will not be disappointed.  Moreover, the characters in these books are believable - weak, selfish, frightened and rarely straightforwardly pleasant.

Too often in thrillers, no doubt in order to highlight the fantastic powers of the investigating detective, the murderer is a fiendishly clever maniac who has - until now - succeeded in keeping his true nature hidden.  For me, the Barbara Vine novels succeed because they are based on the frightening premise that anyone can commit murder.  I should add that some of our customers eschew these books, and others in this genre, on the grounds that they’re too ‘twisted’.  Rubio, Karen & I love them – so draw your own conclusions!

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